Residencies '19 - '20

Sofie Van der Linden

My work is based on an interest in places, namely the experience and the memory of specific places. When I use the word 'place' I'm referring to inside and outside places, places in between, different ways to divide a place, forgotten or lost places, places where people live or places were I have stayed for different periods of time. I'm working with places that have been with me for many years or that struck me in one way or another. I'm mapping these places by drawing them, sometimes by writing short (supplementary) texts or by interviewing in the place itself. The pencil drawings are reconstructions of the different places. They show see throughs of how the places (according to my memory) are put together or what happens behind their walls.

By drawing I enter a mental space that intrigues me and removes me from the place that is the subject of my drawing. I test my sense of orientation, my spatial awareness and my sense for details. At the same time I'm confronted with the limitations of my recollections, the gaps, and the difficulties of drawing everything.